Departures Australia Winter 2013

lackbook on the radar

lackbook on the radar france Return to Splendour Home to some of the world’s most venerable grandes dames, Paris has further burnished its credentials with the Prince de Galles, which has just emerged from a two-year renovation. The property, which first opened its doors in 1928, remains an Art Deco icon, modernised by Pierre-Yves Rochon to comprise 159 rooms and suites with plush period furniture, Macassar ebony wood and intricate mosaics. Downstairs at the in-house restaurant La Scène, acclaimed young chef Stéphanie Le Quellec offers seasonal menus imbued with Provençal tradition, served in an elegant dining room courtesy of Phillipe Starck protégé Bruno Borrione. Rooms from AU3; princedegallesparis.com USA BY GEORGE! Just opened in the US capital’s Georgetown district, the 49-room Capella Washington DC features an in-house beauty salon, an exquisite collection of contemporary art and stunning views of the Potomac and the Washington Monument. Rooms from AU3; capellawashingtondc.com Italy SEASIDE STUNNER Apulia’s spectacular Salento coastline welcomes the 17- room Le Capase by Italian yacht charter firm Equinoxe this May. Weekly price for half-board from AU,563; lecapase.it SOUTH KOrea NEW HEIGHTS Eight years after the brand’s debut in Seoul, the February launch of the 269-room Park Hyatt Busan proves the encore was worth the wait: 33 storeys tall and set in the heart of the city’s CBD, it affords panoramic views of both city and ocean. Rooms from AU2; parkhyatt.com POLanD REINVENTING AN ICON Following extensive renovation, Warsaw’s storied Hotel Bristol was relaunched as part of The Luxury Collection’s quickly expanding portfolio earlier this year. The 206-key Belle Époque property has maintained much of its historical grandeur alongside modern additions such as an in-house wine bar and an enlarged lobby-lounge. Rooms from AU6; hotelbristolwarsaw.pl Maldives ON THE BEACH Exchanging alp for atoll, the founders of Courchevel’s Cheval Blanc open a 45-villa outpost at Randheli this spring, which aside from unencumbered, laid-back luxe, boasts a Guerlain spa and cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Villas from AU,892 for seven nights; chevalblanc.com/randheli clockwise from top left: © Starwood, shutterstock, © Park Hyatt (2), Matthew Shaw, Stefano Candito, © equinoxe, © capella Hotels & Resorts 34 departures-international.com Contact platinum card service for bookings by Claudia Whiteus

7 nights FROM $ 1,459pp * twin share departing New York The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World EUROPE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE LUXURIOUS There’s nowhere quite like Europe and no one can show it to you quite like Cunard. In 2014, take your European adventure with generous helpings of luxury. Queen Elizabeth spends a long season in the Mediterranean with voyages departing Rome, Venice or Athens; Queen Victoria sails the Baltic and offers overnight stays in St Petersburg; while Queen Mary 2 celebrates her 10th anniversary with special Transatlantic crossings. Make 2014 the year. Voyage Queen Elizabeth Departure date 2014 Duration Fares per person twin share from* Inside Oceanview Balcony Princess Grills Queens Grills Rome to Athens 20 Jun 14 ,999 ,499 ,399 ,599 ,199 Venice to Athens 27 Jun 14 ,999 ,499 ,399 ,599 ,199 Athens to Rome 4 Jul 14 ,149 ,599 ,499 ,749 ,399 Venice to Athens 1 Aug 14 ,999 ,499 ,349 ,499 ,099 Queen Mary 2 Southampton to New York 9 May 7 ,599 ,059 ,109 ,579 ,919 New York to Southampton 16 May 7 ,459 ,939 ,069 ,599 ,119 Queen Victoria Round trip from Southampton 9 May 14 ,649 ,909 ,589 ,249 ,599 Round trip from Southampton 31 Aug 14 ,999 ,309 ,079 ,099 ,649 To book now contact Cunard on 13 24 41 (AU) or 0800 543 431 (NZ), or enquire and book through Platinum Travel Services on 1800 67 3760 (AU) or 0800 377 421 (NZ) to take advantage of your Cruise Privileges # *Fares are cruise only, per person, in AUD, in complete twin cabin as specified, based on lead category specified (unless stated otherwise), inclusive of all discounts, taxes and charges (which are subject to change). Some oceanview and balcony staterooms may have an obstructed view. Supplements apply for other cabin categories, please contact Cunard for details. Subject to limited availability. Conditions apply. Airfares, hotels and transfers additional, unless otherwise stated. Valid for new bookings only, not combinable with any other offer. A limited number of cabins have been set aside at these special fares, once sold fares may revert to a higher fare. Fares may be withdrawn or varied, Cunard reserves the right to do so at any time. #Cruise partners and benefits are subject to change without notice. To obtain benefits, bookings must be made through Platinum Travel Service and paid with the Platinum Card. American Express terms and conditions also apply. To be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions contained in the latest Cunard brochures which passengers will be bound by. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. Please check with Cunard at the time of booking. Carnival plc trading as Cunard Line. ABN 23 107 998 443. 2TA 5580. CU_130078_ST. Travel services provided by American Express International, Inc. ABN 15 000 618 208. Incorporated with limited liability in Delaware, USA. Licensed Travel Agent, 12 Shelley Street, Sydney NSW. Licence No. ACT - 18800682, NSW - 2TA000113, VIC – TA-30233, QLD- 3497079, SA - 214584, WA - 9TA81, TAS - TAS064. Credit provided by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company.